This week marked the annual SoxProspects.com scouting trip as Ian Cundall, Chaz Fiorino and the rest of the gang headed down to Red Sox spring training. On Wednesday, the guys headed to Port Charlotte to watch the High A and Low A teams take on the Rays. Then on Thursday, they stuck around Red Sox camp and took in High A and Low A games on the back fields of JetBlue Park. Their notes from the field include reports on Yoan Moncada, Anderson Espinoza, Luis Alexander Basabe, Michael Chavis, and more.

The PawSox’ 2016 season will begin on April 7th and as fans file into McCoy Stadium, they’ll be able to visit the new PawSox Hall of Fame. On Wednesday, a 15-person panel determined that longtime owner Ben Mondor, as well as Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Jim Rice will make up the Hall’s inaugural class.

It was already strongly suspected that left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez would begin the season on the disabled list, but Red Sox manager John Farrell removed all doubt on Thursday. Though Rodriguez did throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, the Red Sox want the southpaw to go through a full spring training and he likely won’t make his season debut until late April or May.

With Rodriguez out of the picture to start the season, there is now a competition brewing for the fifth starter job between Steven Wright, Henry Owens, and Roenis Elias. Wright pitched on Wednesday, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Owens continued his rough spring with a shaky start on Thursday, allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings for the second consecutive time, and he appears to be destined to start the season in Pawtucket. Elias, on the other hand, may have gained a leg up on the competition by putting together a strong start on Friday against the Rays, allowing a run with five strikeouts and no walks over four innings.

Speaking of position battles, Travis Shaw (pictured, above right) has emerged as an unexpected contender for the starting third base job. Shawhas torn the cover off the ball this spring, slashing .441/.472/.676 while looking adept at both first and third base. Meanwhile, incumbent Pablo Sandoval has been shaky defensively, though he has had a solid spring at the plate. On Saturday, Farrell noted that Shaw “could be competing for regular at bats” and declined to label Shaw as a utility player.

Shaw, the son of major league relief pitcher Jeff Shaw, has a unique perspective on the controversy between the White Sox and Adam LaRoche and gave his thoughts on the situation.

Another young Red Sox slugger named Travis, first baseman Sam Travis, has been making a name for himself in camp. Travis is having an incredible spring, hitting .600/.536/.920 and he had a particularly big day on Thursday in a win against the Orioles.

Number four prospect Andrew Benintendi made his spring debut on Friday, starting in center field against the Twins. Benintendi made an impression in his first game, going 2 for 3 and sparking further excitement about his first full season as a professional.

With inclement weather in Port St. Lucie on Sunday, David Price stayed in Ft. Myers and pitched in a simulated game against Red Sox minor leaguers rather than traveling with the team. He was particularly impressed with Moncada, describing the phenom’s tools and plate approach as “pretty impressive.”